Traitor.
“…You?”
Ji Zhiwei could not even tell if he had really spoken.
Cui Jianying, with a smile curved like a crescent moon at the corners of his eyes and lips, replied: “Yes. That would be me.”
Completely self satisfied.
“…!”
Clang!
The sounds of smashing echoed in rapid succession. Teacups and plates crashed to the floor as if caught in a storm.
Figures darted across the room. Two men, both holding official ranks, rose from their chairs almost simultaneously.
Outside, passersby and nearby onlookers craned their necks at the commotion, curious.
Inside, the two men began a chaotic clash.
Though called a fight, it was not entirely a proper duel. Ji Zhiwei moved with fierce aggression, smashing objects and striking, while Cui Jianying dodged and parried with a calm, almost leisurely ease.
Their differences in disposition were revealed in every motion.
When they were young, such disparities had been subtle. Now, one arm of Cui Jianying could hold off both of Ji Zhiwei’s and had he remained passive, letting Ji Zhiwei vent, it would have been fine but the moment he moved, it was as if a blade struck porcelain, everything Ji Zhiwei attempted toppled and failed.
Amid the chaos, Cui Jianying added insult to injury with a sharp remark:
“Cousin, your belly is full, let go and let me have my way. I get my beloved wife, he gets a new husband and you, cousin, gain a younger sister in law. Three parties all satisfied, doesn’t that make a joyful family?”
Ji Zhiwei’s face contorted with rage and he struck again.
Blood began to seep. The situation escalated. People gathered at the doorway, drawn by the noise.
At that precise moment, a delicate figure emerged from behind a folding screen, worry etched across their face, tears welling:
“Master… Master… stop fighting!”
The voice was both unfamiliar and familiar, the small, fair face, delicate and radiant, who else but the one he longed to see but had not dared to?
Tuan Yun.
Real, tangible, more heart wrenching than memory alone.
Ji Zhiwei’s gaze slowly turned. Time seemed to freeze, his body rigid as if blood had congealed.
How was Tuan Yun here…? When had he arrived?
When had he entered this room?
He had been here all along.
Even arriving slightly before Ji Zhiwei, a little ahead of him by half an hour.
He had come to confront Cui Jianying. Since that sudden day when the matron unexpectedly discovered his pregnancy and brought him back home, Tuan Yun had been restless, anxious, worried, unable to settle until this morning.
Taken away so abruptly, he had not made arrangements with Cui Jianying. Someone like him would not have let it end there. Now, carrying a child, his circumstances were different.
He could not help but think of the future. After much contemplation, he realized some matters could not be delayed. Citing his vow at the temple and his need to personally fulfill it, he had set out.
Pregnant as he was, his words now carried weight, no one dared stop him.
Meeting Cui Jianying, he bowed his head, speaking softly, stating his intentions, hoping to end matters there.
He did not dare offend him and did so with utmost courtesy, pleading for mercy for himself and his unborn child, proposing distance for the future, to keep each side safe.
He knew Cui Jianying cared for him to some degree but what of it?
Before the child, clandestine affairs could be excused as attempts to conceive. Now, with a child, there was no excuse for such indiscretion.
If discovered, one death could lead to three, whether for the child or himself. The only proper solution was to never see Cui Jianying again, leaving the matter buried forever.
After speaking, several heartbeats passed. His pulse raced. He did not dare look at Cui Jianying’s expression.
Unexpectedly, he did not respond.
After a long moment, he pulled him close, placing his hand over his abdomen.
Tuan Yun shivered under his warmth, his emotions tumbling, his heart fluttering uncontrollably. Their gazes locked. Just then, word arrived that Ji Zhiwei had come.
Tuan Yun froze, panic stricken, moving like a startled rabbit.
Cui Jianying, seeing his ashen face, directed him behind the folding screen.
Behind it, one was his husband and one his lover. For a long, tense moment, Tuan Yun held his breath, terrified to move.
And then, Ji Zhiwei and Cui Jianying’s confrontation escalated further. Tuan Yun could no longer hide, if this scandal reached the ears of the nobility, even the court might intervene!
[The End]
✦ ✧ ✦
Fleurveil
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
Every chapter has a price. This one accepts coffee.
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
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ChaptersChapter 1 · How can you, so crude and vulgar, be a match for me?Chapter 2 · Children don’t just appear out of thin air if you want themChapter 3 · I also grew up reading the classicsChapter 4 · I am willing to dress up as the Goddess of MercyChapter 5 · If Cousin Ji doesn’t like me, do you not like me either?Chapter 6 · He actually summoned such a YamaChapter 7 · Am I not worthy of your attention, Madam?Chapter 8 · I think Lord Cui likes you very muchChapter 9 · Dragon and phoenix twinsChapter 10 · I will never allow anyone to belittle or despise you againChapter 11 · If that’s true, then marry your wife to meChapter 12 · Well, it really is true that one thing can subdue anotherChapter 13 · Extra 1Chapter 14 · Extra 2Chapter 15 · Extra 3Chapter 16 · Extra 4